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Thursday, December 29, 2005

Introduction:Hyundai has spent the last five years remolding its image, improving the quality of its products, and providing contemporary technology at an affordable price, and the Hyundai Tucson is another example of what's going right with the Korean automaker. Introduced just last year, the compact Tucson has all the right tools to take on established competitors like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4.
The Tucson offers loads of standard features and a choice of a 140-hp, four-cylinder or 173-hp, V6 power. Exterior styling follows in the tire tracks of the Santa Fe with its sweptback headlights and curving front fenders. For the most part, it's more handsome, if not more conservative, than the Santa Fe. Function also follows form resulting in a good-sized vehicle that drives more like a car than a truck. In fact, both the Tucson and its Kia Sportage cousin ride on the sedan platform that underpins the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Spectra. Parking lot negotiation is a breeze. For the sake of fuel-efficiency, the optional all-wheel-drive system routes up to 99 percent of the available power to the front wheels under ideal traction conditions. As road conditions change, the system automatically diverts up to 50 percent of the power to the rear wheels. A dash-mounted lock button allows the driver to lock the driveline into a set 50/50-split for extra traction when driving in snow.
The generous standard features list includes full-length side curtain airbags (in addition to seat-mounted side airbags for front occupants). Other notable standard items include four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, traction control, a stability control system, air conditioning and full power accessories. Also standard on all Tucsons is Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. The split-folding rear seat is able to fold flat to create a level cargo floor. It does this by lowering the bottom cushion into the footwell, and doesn't even require removal of the head restraints.
Hyundai hopes the Tucson will win the hearts of potential CR-V and Escape buyers with its roomy interior, fresh styling and generous helping of standard equipment, especially on the safety front. Although its engines aren't as strong or refined as those of some competitors, the Tucson is competitive in all other respects.
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The four-door Tucson compact SUV comes in three trim levels -- entry-level GL, midlevel GLS and top-of-the-line Limited. Standard features on the GL include four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, power windows and door locks, keyless entry, cruise control, heated outside mirrors, roof rack side rails, a rear intermittent wiper and a CD stereo system. The GLS adds body-side cladding, foglamps, wider tires, a CD/cassette/MP3 stereo, upgraded upholstery and a front wiper de-icer. The Limited adds leather seating, heated seats and an upgraded audio system with an in-dash six-disc CD changer and a subwoofer.
Powertrains and Performance:
The base GL comes with a 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder engine that generates 140 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque. It's mated to a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic with automanual control. The GLS and Limited provide a larger, more powerful 2.7-liter V6 engine that produces 173 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. The automatic transmission is standard with the V6. Buyers can get front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive with either engine.
Safety:
Passengers are well protected as the Tucson comes standard with seat-mounted side-impact airbags for front occupants and side curtain airbags for both front- and rear-seat occupants. Four-wheel antilock disc brakes are also standard on all Tucsons, along with a traction and stability control system. Hyundai's compact SUV achieved a five-star sweep in all NHTSA crash tests, earning perfect marks for its front- and side-impact protection.
Interior Design and Special Features:
The Tucson features a clean, modern interior with simple controls and tight build quality. Materials quality is hit or miss with a few more hard plastics than we'd like and an odd pattern on the standard cloth upholstery. Legroom up front should be more than ample for most adults, though taller passengers may find it a tad tight in back. The Tucson offers 22.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the 60/40 second-row seat, though a non-retractable cargo cover tends to get in the way while loading up groceries. The rear seat is designed to fold completely flat in one step, opening up 65.5 cubic feet of total capacity.
Source: Edmunds.com
Always remember to visit for latest deals available Gary Rome Hyundai , Hyundai Accessory Store and Hyundai Performance Auto Parts.

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

On Sale: Now
Base Price: $11,995 (est.)
Powertrain: 1.6-liter, 110-hp, 106-lb-ft I4; fwd, five-speed manual
Curb Weight: 2366 lbs0 to 60 mph: 10 seconds
Fuel Mileage (EPA Combined): 33.4 mpg
What was missing from the old Hyundai Accent? Not too terribly much. It was a fine car for the entry-level new-car buyer who perhaps didn’t expect too much. That being said, the new 2006 Accent is everything the old one was and then some, with a new hatchback configuration, too.
We recently drove the Accent sedan and saw the hatchback model when that car was unveiled at SEMA. While both look poised to please credit-challenged buyers across America, they are also going to be perfect for your au pair or pizza-delivery professional who will have his/her car purchased by an employer. Sedan pricing is expected to start at $11,995.
The new Accent is bigger, weighs a little more, and has just a bit more horsepower, not to mention more standard features than you would expect to find on one of the most entry-level of entry-level cars sold in America. Now that Daewoo has fallen by the wayside, Hyundai (and sister Kia, with its similar Rio) is back as the safety net for low-dollar car buyers in America.
But entry-level is no longer the beer-can-of-death it used to be. This Accent has six (yes, six) standard airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and even brake force distribution. It comes with eight cupholders and triple seals on the doors. And while it seems just yesterday that variable valve timing appeared only on a Martian spacecraft, it rides under the hood of this fine 1.6-liter subcompact.
With the continuously variable valve timing and dual-overhead cams operating four valves per cylinder, horsepower rises from 104 to 110 on the new Accent, while torque holds steady at 106 lb-ft. Variable valves and dohc on the entry-level Hyundai? The world has changed, Kim.
Hyundai expects four-speed automatic transmissions to account for 86 percent of Accent sales.
While bending stiffness is up by 39 percent, you will not want to drop your auto­cross rig and buy an Accent for SCCA weekends. The handling is safe, but it is not particularly sprightly or fun. The whole thing rides on front struts and a torsion-beam rear—a good choice for keeping the cost down, but not necessarily for keeping lap times low.
Inside, this is not some nightmare with vinyl seats and plastic side windows imported illegally from a Balkan country; the Accent has a standard AM/FM/CD player with six speakers and even a price-be-damned right-side armrest for the driver! Total interior volume (passenger and cargo) is up to 108.1 cubic feet, which Hyundai claims is more than a Honda Civic’s.
Hyundai likes to compare the content level of its new Accent not just with the bottom-of-the-barrel Chevrolet Aveo (nee Daewoo Kalos), but with that of the Scion xA. The Accent competes well with the xA in this area.
We’ll have to wait to see how Accent stacks up contentwise against the coming Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit and Nissan Versa, which will hit the Hyundai head-on in the marketplace. No doubt these competitors have scoped out the newly equipped Accent and tweaked their standard features list a bit.Competition is good for everyone.
source: AutoWeek

December 17, 2005
by Trevor Hofmann / American Auto PressAntilock Brakes are Now Standard with Well-Equipped 2006 Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is a lightweight SUV right? Well, dont let its compact dimensions fool you. After all, every one of the six Tucsons that set out from Cape Cross, Namibia, on the Atlantic Ocean, for a 3,850 mile quest to cross Africa made it to the other side. It took the trans-African expedition 22 days to reach Maputo, Mozambique on the Indian Ocean, after passing through the desert and over mountains of Botswana, Zambia, South Africa and Swaziland, and only minor problems were encountered. This is impressive, considering that only stock Tucsons, equipped with four-wheel drive and driver-selectable 4WD lock, the latter which provides a continuous 50/50 torque split between front and rear wheels, took part in the largely unpaved journey.
"The cars performed extremely well with just two tire punctures, three air filter changes and one air conditioning filter replacement," said Pedro Castelo, PR Manager for Entreposto.
The "Tucson Coast-to-Coast" event was organized by Entreposto VH, Hyundais Portuguese distributor, to show the general toughness and overall reliability of the South Korean automakers popular new SUV under what the Hyundai team described as "highly demanding climatic and road conditions."
Equally impressive were the Tucsons overall fuel economy, combining for 25 mpg, and this taking into consideration that all six vehicles had their air conditioning systems set to "full blast" for 15 of the 22 days. Temperatures were varied but mostly hot, ranging from a low of 13 degrees centigrade to a high of 45 degrees. In addition to the air conditioning, each Tucson carried up to 660 pounds of cargo, putting a further load on fuel consumption. "This is yet another illustration of the quality, durability and reliability built into every new Hyundai product," commented a Hyundai spokesman. "With its innovative flexibility, abundant safety features and classy styling, the award-winning Hyundai Tucson is a class-leading, value-packed compact SUV that meshes with the active lifestyles of Canadian consumers."
The Tucson starts at a miserly $17,495 making it one of the lowest priced SUVs in the industry.
For that MSRP the Tucson offers a host of standard features, highlighted by ABS brakes, plus traction and electronic stability control - impressive for the compact SUV segment. Its fit, finish and materials quality is also top rate for the class, on-pavement performance quite respectable, and obviously from this report, the Tucsons off-pavement performance is also impressive.
Always remember to visit for latest deals available Gary Rome Hyundai , Hyundai Accessory Store and Hyundai Performance Auto Parts.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

2007 HYUNDAI ACCENT GS AND SE ARRIVE
35 Custom Accessories Will Enable Accent Owners to Personalize their Vehicle
LAS VEGAS, Nev., November 1, 2005 - Hyundai Motor America unveiled the 2007 Accent SE three-door at the 2005 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show today. Poised for even greater popularity, the new 2007 Accent three-door model (available in GS and SE trim) complements the all-new 2006 Accent GLS four-door, which will go on sale this November. The Accent GS and SE three-door models arrive next spring at Hyundai showrooms across the U.S. With more than 35 custom accessories being developed, buyers will be able to modify Accent GS and SE to suit their individual style.
Redefines compact cars
"Our all-new Accent lineup is going to set the pace in the compact segment," said Bob Cosmai, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "Consumers will be blown away by the amount of substance and standard safety features found in this new model." The three-door Accent GS and SE overcome consumers' preconceived notions of compromised performance, comfort and safety in an economy car. Six airbags and standard antilock brakes with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) provide segment-leading safety for all passengers. The class-leading 110-horsepower*, 1.6-liter DOHC in-line four-cylinder engine with Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT), sport-tuned suspension and 16-inch alloy wheels with P205/45R16 tires (SE model) enhance the car's fun-to-drive character. Accent GS and SE have the most interior volume in the segment at 108.1 cu. ft.* and more standard features than Chevrolet Aveo and Kia Rio. "There is a renewed interest in tuning and accessorizing compact cars, and Accent defies the laws of economy in this very competitive segment," said John Krafcik, vice president, Product Development and Strategic Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "The Accent GS and SE are fun-to-drive, affordable sport compacts right out of the box and they will have more personalization accessories available than the Scion xA."
Personalization
Vehicle personalization is a growing trend, increasingly important to new car buyers. According to SEMA, drivers spend $31 billion annually on specialty appearance items and performance parts. Hyundai plans to offer more than 35 Accent accessories at launch, as dealer- or port-installed add-ons, enabling buyers to make their Accent unique. The accessories will include a ground effects kit, cold air intake system, Kenwood MP3 satellite-ready radio, aluminum pedals and doorsills, iPOD holder, chrome exhaust tip and many others. Factory-installed personalization options include a 220-watt, AM/FM/6-CD changer premium audio system with six-speakers and Accent's first power sunroof.
Design
Externally, the Accent GS and SE reflect Hyundai's sleek, confident design direction, borrowing from the aerodynamic, clean look of the E3 concept car unveiled at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show. Up front, the vehicle features a bold bodycolor grille and aerodynamic halogen headlights. Bodycolored exterior mirrors and door handles complement the sporty styling. Sleek character lines continue to the rear of the vehicle. Accent SE's high-performance V-rated P205/45R16 tires and lightweight five-spoke aluminum wheels provide terrific handling and a big dose of street credibility. A long wheelbase and higher seating positions increase the spacious feeling of the interior. A rear spoiler and wiper are standard on all three-door Accents. Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 670 dealerships nationwide.
*Based on 2006 segment comparison, estimated horsepower.Source: www.hyundainews.com

Monday, December 19, 2005

Hyundai Azera
Not keeping up with the Joneses.
BY BARRY WINFIELD
January 2006
This upstart Korean automaker has gone, in just one generation, from the XG350 to the Azera. Just like that. That’s how Hyundai does things. It’s almost as if the company owned a big computerized car processor, and the engineers feed in data—like high-end styling, class-leading interior space, more safety equipment, luxury equipment levels, competitive power output, a stiff structure, and contemporary NVH levels—and out the other end comes a car. A good car.
In the case of this good car, the Azera is powered by a new all-aluminum 263-hp, 3.8-liter version of Hyundai’s V-6 Lambda engine family, which boasts more power than the Ford Five Hundred and Buick LaCrosse and more torque than the Toyota Avalon. Inside there’s enough space to allow this beanpole tester to set the front seat to his tastes and then “sit behind himself” in the rear seat. If headroom was just adequate, legroom was good.
Under all that passenger space is an independent suspension system with unequal-length control arms up front and a multilink system at the rear, and it provides a ride that is supple without being floaty. The body itself is as tight as a vault, and sound levels are exceedingly low, particularly wind noise. Triple door seals and careful mirror design are major contributors here.
The Azera is a front-wheel-drive car, but there’s almost no evidence of that fact in the driving experience. Zero torque steer and no tendency to spin the inside wheel when exiting a corner leave you wondering exactly where the engine puts down its power. Okay, there’s a little thrum in the rack-and-pinion mechanism along highways, hinting at front-wheel drive, and the wheel rim is too remote to compete with serious sports sedans, but at least it has the isolation part of the luxury equation down.
As usual in Hyundais, the equipment level is comprehensive. There are eight airbags, leather seats, a 315-watt stereo with an in-dash six-CD changer and 10 speakers, electroluminescent gauges, and a manumatic five-speed automatic with a smooth action. Best news of all for this wannabe Lexus: a base price of about $25,000 for the SE and about $28,000 for the loaded Limited. Take that, social climbers.
Vehicle type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
Estimated base price: $25,000–$28,000
Engine type: DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injectionDisplacement: 231 cu in, 3778cc
Power (SAE net): 263 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 255 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed automatic with manumatic shifting
Wheelbase: 109.4 inLength/width/height: 192.7/72.8/58.7 in
Curb weight: 3650 lb
Performance ratings (C/D est):Zero to 60 mph: 6.5 sec
Standing 1/4-mile: 15.2 sec
Top speed (drag limited): 145 mph
Projected fuel economy (mfr’s est):EPA city driving: 19 mpg
EPA highway driving: 30 mpg
Source: Car and Driver
Always remember to visit for latest deals available Gary Rome Hyundai , Hyundai Accessory Store and Hyundai Performance Auto Parts.

Hyundai Delivers Tucson Fuel Cell Vehicles to AC Transit for Demonstration and Testing
16 December 2005
The Tucson FCEV
Hyundai Motor Company has delivered the first two of an eventual ten Hyundai and Kia Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) to the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) in California.
The delivery of two Tucson FCEVs marks the beginning of a five-year demonstration and validation project designed to evaluate fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen infrastructure technologies. AC Transit staff will use the fuel cell vehicles to support bus operations in densely populated urban areas.
Hyundai’s partnership with AC Transit represents the first time that a third-party has been involved in our fuel cell vehicle research, and it marks another milestone in our effort to bring this technology to commercialization. Our vehicles will be operating in real-world working environments everyday proving the viability of this technology.
—Dr. Won Suk Cho, president, Hyundai America Technical Center
Hyundai introduced its second-generation Tucson FCEV in January 2005 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The Tucson FCEV offers a driving range of 300 km (186 miles)—double that of the first-generation Santa Fe FCEV—thanks to 152-liter (40-gallon) storage tanks (more than double the size of those in the Santa Fe) developed by Dynetek.
Marginally lighter than its predecessor, the Tucson FCEV also gets five more kW of power from its UTC fuel cell stack for a peak output of 80kW. Its maximum speed is rated at 150 km/h (93 mph) compared to the Santa Fe’s 124 km/h (77 mph).
Hyundai and LG Chem co-developed the Tucson’s 152V lithium-ion battery. (Hyundai has announced a broader effort with LG Chem on hybrids—earlier post.) Enova Systems provides the hybrid drivetrain, motor and control unit.
The Tucson FCEV can start in freezing temperatures; testing has proven that the vehicle is capable of starting after being subjected to -20º Celsius temperatures for five days.
Hyundai plans to place two additional Tucson FCEV with AC Transit in early 2006, and will round out the fleet with six Kia Sportage FCEV models in late 2006 and 2007. In addition, Hyundai engineers will support and monitor the AC Transit fleet vehicles for the duration of the program.
In April 2004, Hyundai, Chevron Corporation and UTC Power were awarded a US Department of Energy grant to support research into hydrogen-powered fuel cell technology for automotive applications. The team officially began testing in February 2005 when Chevron opened its first-ever hydrogen energy station at the Hyundai America Technical Center (HATCI) in Chino, Calif.
In addition to HATCI and AC Transit, fleets will also be placed at Southern California Edison and the US Army facilities in Detroit to develop and implement a practical, business-based hydrogen energy infrastructure and associated technologies as a part of the five-year program.
Always remember to visit for latest deals available Gary Rome Hyundai , Hyundai Accessory Store and Hyundai Performance Auto Parts.

Friday, December 16, 2005

Boston, Mass., November 10, 2005 --The Boston Globe newspaper names the 2006 Hyundai Sonata its “Family Vehicle of the Year” at the New England International Auto Show, ahead of rivals like the Ford Fusion. Sonata’s excellent value, good fuel economy and segment-leading standard safety features, such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), six airbags, and anti-whiplash head restraints plays a key role in the New England Motor Press Association’s decision. “Sonata winning ‘Family Vehicle of the Year’ says we are doing the right thing by including the most effective safety technologies in all of our cars, while still keeping the price genuinely affordable,” said Bob Cosmai, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. “At Hyundai, we don’t think industry-leading safety equipment should be reserved for luxury vehicles.”
The New England Motor Press Association reviewed the entire spectrum of new family vehicles to provide its readers with information they need to make the right choice in today’s complicated and competitive automotive landscape.
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed in the U.S. by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by more than 670 dealers throughout the nation.
Always remember to visit for latest deals available Gary Rome Hyundai , Hyundai Accessory Store and Hyundai Performance Auto Parts.